USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 43
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In coming to Southern California in 1887 Mr. Drinkwater made a radical change of location, for he is a New Englander by birth, ancestry and education and belongs to a family that for genera- tions labored honorably and well in the material development of Maine. His parents, Isaac and Betsy Drinkwater, were lifelong residents of Maine and made their home in Penobscot county west
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of the river of that name, where, notwithstanding the handicap of rigorous winters and sterile soil, they made a livelihood for their children and gave them also fair educational advantages. At the old homestead in Etna, Penobscot county, Thomas P. Drinkwater was born April 1, 1850, and from there he went to the neighboring country schools, later attending the high school of South Levant, in the same county. After he had discontinued his studies in 1867 he began to work on a farm and continued at the occupation for two years, when, feeling that permanent residence there and con- tinuation in the vocation of agriculture would be uncongenial, he sought the factory centers of Massachusetts. The first step he took was to learn the trade of shoe-making at Brockton and he remained in that city, rising from a humble position to one of responsibility, for a long period of busy years.
When, eventually, a growing dissatisfaction with the returns from his energetic efforts began to turn the thoughts of Mr. Drinkwater toward a new location and different occupation he de- cided to seek a home in Southern California and the year 1887 found him resigning from his position in the Brockton factory and traveling westward toward the Pacific coast. Upon his arrival in Riverside county he was fortunate in securing immediate employ- ment. For a long time he was engaged in planting twelve thou- sand acres of orange and lemon groves for various individuals and firms in Corona and Riverside. With the savings of previous years he invested in forty acres in the Corona colony and this tract he planted in lemon and orange trees. The cultivation of the grove and the harvesting of the crops occupied his attention profitably and pleasantly, but finally he gave up horticulture and since Novem- ber of 1910 has acted as a real estate agent for owners of groves in this locality.
During the period of his residence in the east Mr. Drinkwater established home ties, his marriage at Brockton being solemnized in November of 1879 and uniting him with Miss Mary F. Bickford. Of this union three children were born, namely: Alfred F., twenty- eight years of age and now engaged in ranching in Arizona; George H., twenty-five years old, and now holding a position as street car conductor in Los Angeles; and Mary L., previously mentioned. In fraternal associations Mr. Drinkwater holds membership with the
blue lodge of Masons and the local camp of Foresters, while polit- ically he gives his allegiance and ballot to the Republican party. Of genial disposition and affable, companionable temperament, he has won a large circle of friends during the long period of his residence in Riverside county and at the same time by his intelligent activi- ties he has risen to prominence in horticultural and business affairs.
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HENRY H. HOLMES
Well fitted to be the chief executive of a municipality, Mr. Holmes has amply proved, since his election in 1908 to the posi- tion of mayor of Corona, Riverside county, the wisdom of his con- stituents in supporting their leader, whose absolute integrity and exceptional executive skill enable him to conduct with ease the affairs under his jurisdiction.
Born March 23, 1841, in Allegany county, N. Y., Mr. Holmes spent his early boyhood on the farm of his parents, John H. and Rhoda L. (Bennett) Holmes, natives of New York state. In 1846 he accompanied his parents to Ogle county, Ill., and in 1851 to Winnebago county. He received his education in the public schools and at the age of nineteen, upon declaration of war be- tween the North and South, enlisted in Company G, Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving faithfully until September 26, 1864, when he was honorably discharged from duty. Upon his re- turn to his father's farm in Winnebago county, Ill., he engaged in general agriculture until 1870, when he moved to Martin county, Minn., where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres. While a resident there he served three years as one of the county commissioners, also was in some minor position during the eighteen years of his residence there. In 1885 he changed his residence to Racine, Wis., where he became superintendent of a sewer pipe manufacturing company. Resigning his position in 1888 he located in Perris, Riverside county, Cal., and served as manager of an orange grove until 1889. Moving thence to Corona, he accepted a position as foreman of the yards of the Pacific Clay Manufacturing Company, ably performing his duties until 1897, when upon the purchase of eleven acres, and later a tract of five acres, he relinquished his work to take up orange culture, in which he has been most successful. He has sold seven and one- half acres at an excellent profit, retaining the remainder of his property, his orchard affording him both pleasure and profit.
For seven years Mr. Holmes served as county commissioner of horticulture. He was elected a trustee of Corona in 1906 and in 1908 was elected president of the board and in 1910 re-elected for four years. Fraternally he is connected with Temescal Lodge No. 314 F. & A. M., Royal League Circle Lodge No. 377, I. O. F., and is a member of the Rebekahs and the Eastern Star. He is also a prominent worker in Carlton Post, G. A. R., his energy and enthusiasm greatly contributing to the interest of his fellow mem- bers.
Mr. Holmes was united in marriage January 7, 1868, in 27
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Winnebago county, Ill., with Miss Marie A. Hewitt, of that state. Two children were born to them: Carrie, now Mrs. E. G. Tuthill of Corona; and Alfred, aged thirty-five, who is engaged in the wholesale fruit and produce business in Los Angeles, Cal. Politi- cally an Independent, with broad and generous principles, Mr. Holmes is closely in touch with party developments in general. As an active member of the Methodist Church of Corona, he is deeply interested in the welfare of his fellow men.
JOHN SHIELS
So common has the practice become for sons on attaining their majority to leave home and establish themselves in business at points remote from their birthplace and often in a line entirely foreign to that followed by their fathers, that it is a pleasure to chronicle the history of a family whose unity of purpose has bound them together in business associations that are amicable as well as remunerative. Such in a word is the history of the Shiels family. Father and sons were engaged in the tinsmith business under the name of John Shiels & Sons at the corner of Tenth and Market streets, Riverside, until the death of the father, October 25, 1911, since which time the firm has been known as Shiels Brothers.
The son of William and Elizabeth (Montgomery) Shiels, John Shiels was born in Prescott, Canada, April 29, 1835, and until he was about fourteen years of age he received educational advantages provided by private schools in the vicinity of his home. It was about this time, 1849, that the home of the family was transferred to Maitland, Ontario, and there the son worked on a farm for about a year and half. During this time he decided to learn the tinsmith's trade, and for the purpose he went to Kingston and apprenticed himself under a reliable instructor. Having completed his appren- ticeship he worked at his trade independently at Kingston for about nine years, continuing in the business until coming to California in the year 1883. His identification with the city of Riverside began on March 1 of that year, when with a limited capital he established the nucleus of the business which was carried on under his name for over a quarter of a century. His shop was at first located on Main street near Ninth, his attention then being confined almost exclusively to the tinsmith's trade, but gradually he added plumbing to his original business, and it is only just to say that many of the largest plumbing contracts in Riverside were accepted by him and
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carried out under his personal supervision. Since 1891 business has been carried on at the present location, Tenth and Market streets, prior to which time the sons had attained mature years and were taken into the firm. From 1888 until the death of the father, October 25, 1911, business was carried on under the name of John Shiels & Sons, but the firm name is now Shiels Brothers.
The marriage of John Shiels occurred in Kingston, Canada, and united him with Emily Woods, and five children were born to them, of whom Emily F. and Mary F. Kirby are residents of Ottawa, Ontario, and Margaret E. of Riverside. The parents were members of the Presbyterian Church and reared their children in that faith. Some years prior to the death of the father the family was bereaved by the death of the mother, who passed away June 16, 1904.
The eldest son of the family, Charles M. Shiels was born in Kingston, Canada, April 24, 1867, and in that city he attended both the common and the Model schools until coming to California with his parents in 1883. After locating in Riverside he began to pre- pare for his future by learning the plumber's trade, and after the completion of his apprenticeship in 1888, became associated in business with his father. A capable and energetic young man, he was of great assistance to his father in making the present large business possible. Fraternally he is well known, being a member of Evergreen Lodge No. 259, F. & A. M., Riverside Chapter No. 67, R. A. M., the Redmen, while in the Odd Fellows order he holds membership in Riverside Lodge No. 282, of which he is past grand; Star Encampment No. 73, of which he is past chief patriarch; Can- ton No. 25 and the Rebekahs. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Foresters, being past chief ranger of Court California No. 451, the Royal Foresters; Riverside Tent No. 19, K. O. T. M., of which he is past commander, and his application to the Uniform rank of the Maccabees was the first signed west of the Rockies. Politically he is a Republican and he is a member of the Presby- terian Church.
The second son in the family, William F. Shiels, was born in Kingston, Canada, June 7, 1878, and attended the public schools of his birthplace until 1888. In that year he came to Riverside and was taken into the partnership already formed by his father and his elder brother, the firm name thereafter being John Shiels & Sons, under which name some of the best work in Riverside in the line of plumbing has been accomplished. William F. Shiels was married in Riverside, January 29, 1905, to Miss Lydia Wildes, and they have one child, a daughter Frances. He adheres to the same political principles of his father and brother, being a Republican, and he is also a member of the Presbyterian Church of Riverside.
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DAVID W. LEWIS
The remarkable development of the west within the memory of the present generation and the coincident subdivision of vast ranges into small homesteads have brought into existence various organiza- tions whose duties include the perfecting of titles, bringing down of abstracts of property, the handling of large sums necessary for the prompt conveyance of property and the issuance of loans with securities of land or promissory notes, together with many other responsibilities of equal importance to the well-being of the indi- vidual and the general welfare of the community. Modern business transactions, with their demands upon the trained intelligence, call for the educated young men of the country and their association with commercial growth cannot be overestimated in its importance.
Advantages of thorough education and large experience abund- antly qualify Mr. Lewis for the discharge of the many responsibili- ties connected with his position as manager of the Riverside Title & Trust Company, in which capacity he has been retained since the year 1900 and at the same time he also has officiated as a member of the board of directors. . A son of Isaac Lewis, a veteran of the Civil war and an honored citizen of Indiana, David W. Lewis was born in Eaton, Ind., November 24, 1864, and attended the public schools near Portland, Ind., where his boyhood was spent. In order to secure the funds necessary for a more thorough education he began to teach school and for two and one-half years he engaged in that calling, meanwhile devoting his vacations to study. His ad- vanced studies were prosecuted in DePauw University and he re- mained in that institution until 1891, when he was graduated with the degree of Ph.B., and in 1894 was given the degree of A.M.
Coming to the west and engaging with the Riverside Abstract & Title Company, Mr. Lewis continued for some years in the ca- pacity of manager and in 1895 resigned the position upon his re- moval to Los Angeles. During the next year he was connected with the Southern California Land & Loan Company, of Los Angeles, as manager. Going from that city to Santa Ana he was engaged as secretary of the Abstract & Title Guarantee Company for five years. On resigning that position he returned to Riverside and here he has since had a very successful experience as manager of the Riverside Title & Trust Company, in which also he serves as a di- rector. When at leisure from the exacting demands of business he finds his greatest pleasure in the society of his family, consisting of wife and four children. After coming to Riverside he formed the acquaintance of Miss Edith M. Binks, of this city, and their mar- riage was solemnized April 18, 1893. Their eldest child, Gertrude,
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is a member of the junior class in the Riverside high school, and the second child, Robert, is a member of the freshman class in the high school. The younger children. Clara Louise and Benjamin, are stu- dents in the grammar school. The family have a religious home in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In political views Mr. Lewis is in sympathy with Republican principles, while fraternally he is iden- tified with the Sons of Veterans and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, in both of which organizations he has been a generous contributor and a resourceful local leader.
GEORGE P. CLEMENTS, M.D.
The failure of his health, due to the exacting demands of pro- fessional life and the exposure to severe storms incident to a prac- tice covering a wide area, caused Dr. Clements to relinquish the activities of a promising career in order that he might seek a healthful location in the genial western climate. The presence of a brother in Riverside county led him hither and he has had no reason to regret the decision to remain permanently in this county, for he has regained his health and at the same time he has been prospered in material affairs so that he now ranks among the progressive, prosperous ranchers of the district. His success is the more strik- ing in that he was forced to turn aside from his chosen work and enter into labors wholly unfamiliar to him. The handicap thrust upon him by declining health has been overcome and with unwearied strength he now follows varied activities.
Born in New Brunswick, Canada, November 12, 1877, Dr. Clem- ents remained on the home farm until he had received a common school education. At the age of seventeen years he came to the States and settled at Midland. Mich., whence he removed to Bay City at a later date. Desirous of securing advanced educational opportunities, he worked at any occupation offering more than a mere livelihood and with the means thus frugally saved he paid his way while he studied medicine in Omaha, Neb., and later when he took the regular course of lectures in the medical department of the Nebraska State University. From 1893 until 1896 he was a medical student, graduating in the year last-named. Later he took a number of special courses in order that his knowledge of materia medica might be broadened and his usefulness in the pro- fession enlarged.
After having practiced in Nebraska for some years Dr. Clem-
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ents gave up his chosen work and came to California with the hope of being benefited physically, a hope that soon saw fruition in the climate of Riverside county, where he had joined a brother. Later he bought one hundred acres of raw land covered with cactus and sage brush and when he had cleared the ground he built a neat house. Fifteen acres are now in alfalfa and two and one-half acres in oranges, besides which he is engaged in growing nursery stock and has now about fifty thousand young trees on the place. The comfortable residence is surrounded by ornamental trees, the whole forming an ideal country home whose possession is a source of con- stant pleasure to the owner.
Some years ago, in association with two other gentlemen, Dr. Clements bought four hundred and fifty acres of unimproved land in the valley. This property they cleared and improved and then sold off in small tracts, from which they realized a gratifying ad- vance on the original cost. As a citizen Dr. Clements has been progressive and patriotic and has contributed his quota toward the development of the county, being ever ready to co-operate in move- ments for the general welfare. In politics he stanchly upholds Democratic principles and at this writing promotes party welfare through his service as a member of the county central committee. While living in Nebraska he was made a Mason and took an active part in the work of the blue lodge. In April of 1898 he married Miss Esther Hoag, who was born in Waukesha, Wis., and during girlhood moved to Nebraska. where she was married in Omaha. One daughter blesses the union. Catherine.E., who is now receiving excellent educational advantages in the home county.
A. AIRD ADAIR
Intimate identification with the professional and financial his- tory of Riverside has given to Mr. Adair a prestige justified by his talents and enhanced by his conspicuous success. Many years ago, when the name and fame of Riverside were less prominent than at the present time, and when his own abilities had been less de- veloped by experience than now, he became a resident of this citrus- fruit center. His devotion to local interests has never waned. The climate, presenting a striking contrast to the bleak and ice- bound prairies of his native land, first attracted his admiring attention. Later, as he became more familiar with the country and its people, he found other important essentials that elicited
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favorable comment and now, after a lengthy sojourn here, he is as loyal to the locality as any of its enthuiastic native-born sons.
A member of the family of John and Rose Adair, the gentleman whose name introduces this article was born in London, Ontario, Canada, August 25, 1857, and received his primary education in the grammar schools of his native city, later attending the city high school, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1873. It had been his ambition cherished from boyhood days to prepare himself for the practice of law and all of his studies were diligently prosecuted with that end in view. The spirit of self-help led him to earn his own way in the world at an early age and when he en- joyed leisure from work he prosecuted his studies. In that way he continued for five years and meanwhile acquired a thorough knowl- edge of jurisprudence as well as much general information con- cerning the laws of all nations. After five years of private re- search he matriculated in the University of Toronto, Canada, and continued a student in that institution until the spring of 1887, when he received the degree of LL.B., upon the completion of the regular course.
After one year of private practice Mr. Adair was chosen to fill the office of county crown attorney for the district of Muskoka and Parry Sound, Canada, and in that capacity he continued from 1888 until 1890, resigning upon his removal from that country. In search of a location where the rigors of winter are replaced by the attrac- tions of an equable climate, he came to California and decided to locate in Riverside. The law firm of Purington & Adair has since risen into local prominence and attained a position of eminence among the attorneys of Southern California, their standing at the bar having been acquired and maintained through their thorough knowledge of jurisprudence, their logical methods of reasoning and their accuracy in the presentation of important cases. Both as coun- sellors and pleaders they excel in their profession. Their counsel is sought by many of the most able business men of the region, besides which they are retained for court cases involving large interests.
The successful practice of his profession does not represent the limit of Mr. Adair's mental activities. At the time of the or- ganization of the National Bank of Riverside, in November of 1906, he was a prominent factor in securing necessary stock and consum- mating the concern in a manner thoroughly in accord with the law. With the election of the officers he was chosen president and has since held that responsible position, guiding with quiet but firm and conservative supervision the financial affairs of the institution so that it already has gained a wide reputation for stability. A large number of loans have been placed by the bank and a large business has been established as a depository of the accounts of commercial
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men of the city. In addition to his other interests Mr. Adair is officiating as president of the Riverside County Bar Association, a well-known organization popular among the lawyers of the locality. In religious affiliations he is of the Presbyterian faith and has been a communicant of that denomination since boyhood years. While living in Ontario he was united in marriage, June 13, 1882, with Miss Jennie E. Knight. Their family consists of three daughters, the eldest of whom, Mrs. Willard, makes her home at Hibbing, Minn. The second daughter, Miss Jean, resides with her parents, and the youngest is the wife of Frank C. Nye, who resides in San Francisco.
SANGER E. FRENCH
A resident of Riverside county since 1882, Mr. French has for the past fifteen years been engaged in buying and selling real estate in Corona, where he is known as a man of true worth and depend- able business qualities. He was born in Worcester, Mass., July 6, 1872, the son of Richard Henry French, a native of New York state, who was married to Mrs. Mary E. (Pevey) Thompson in Massa- chusetts. Mr. French was a business man and for some time held a position as bookkeeper in Massachusetts. In 1878 he located in Emporia, Kan., remaining there until 1882, when he moved to Cali- fornia and settled at Riverside, his last days being passed in Cor- ona. His wife lives with her son in Arlington.
Sanger E. French came west at the age of ten years and grew to maturity and was educated in Riverside. Having learned the harness makers' trade he carried on this business in Corona for about ten years, when he sold out and engaged in the livery business for two years. During these years he had handled real estate to some extent and in 1908 he sold out the livery business and opened a real estate office to which he has since given his entire time and attention, buying and selling and also exchanging property. Being well posted on orange, lemon and alfalfa lands he specializes along these lines and has handled and put through some large deals. He also handles Corona city property. He built a nice residence in the city which he later sold, and is the owner of a brick business block.
Mr. French is one of Corona's public spirited men. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and an active worker for the advancement and development of his home city. He was chair- man of the committee for the annual banquets in 1911-12 given by
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the Chamber of Commerce, which proved a great success and a credit to him. These were very enthusiastic meetings and proved of great benefit to the city and much good resulted from them.
On his twenty-first birthday, July 6, 1893, Mr. French was united in marriage in Riverside with Miss Alix M. Babel, a native of Chicago, who was reared and educated in Denver, Colo. Though having spent so much of his life in Riverside, Mr. French is now thoroughly identified with the city of Corona, in its commercial and business, as well as social life.
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